I think I’d be checking the other main bearing caps for correct torque e.g. NOT almost finger tight…like you found the rear main. Also, if there wasn’t a shim, and that bearing was left loose purposely, then that was probably your RMS oil leak, wasn’t actually the seal, but the gap left between the cap and block. Since the engine rotates freely with that cap off, I think it would be worth it to pull at least one of the other bearing caps and 1) verify the other shims are installed and 2) mic’ out the shim to see what the actual thickness is. I’d also mic’ the main journal(s) on the crank shaft to determine if it is a stock or reground crank shaft. If reground you’ll need the appropriate undersize main bearing.
I think I’d also be polishing up that rear journal….using the shoestring polishing compound method….there are a couple of YouTube videos that cover that….its kind of primitive, but it will at least ‘soften up’ the journal scoring……
Sorry about your rig being OOC for a while, but just be glade you fond the condition now…before something more serious happened. It could be worse, and this is recoverable without an engine pull.
I think I’d also be polishing up that rear journal….using the shoestring polishing compound method….there are a couple of YouTube videos that cover that….its kind of primitive, but it will at least ‘soften up’ the journal scoring……
Sorry about your rig being OOC for a while, but just be glade you fond the condition now…before something more serious happened. It could be worse, and this is recoverable without an engine pull.